 Harrison (right) in action against Tomasz Bonin in his last bout |
Audley Harrison has been accused by promoter Frank Warren of ducking a fight with British heavyweight champion Matt Skelton. WBF champion Harrison said claims that a date had been agreed were "premature" and a Thursday press conference with the two fighters was called off.
Harrison said he had an alternative fight lined up for 13 November.
"If he is so keen to fight Skelton, why was he arranging another fight whilst we were negotiating?" said Warren.
Harrison said a news release put out by Warren on Wednesday was "totally inappropriate".
"Unless there are signed contracts, which gives me 100% confidence, there is no fight to announce," he said.
 |  The most difficult negotiations I have encountered have been with Harrison |
Warren claims he offered to meet Harrison on Thursday morning to sign a contract, but the Olympic champion was stalling over details. "One of the issues was that Harrison insisted on having three judges assigned to the fight instead of a referee," said Warren.
"I spoke with Simon Block, the general secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, and he wasn't happy about this. He couldn't understand why this request was being made.
"I had no objections to the judges, Skelton said we won't need judges and that he would bring his own two judges to the fight - his fists."
Warren added: "Throughout my years involved in boxing, and I have negotiated with everybody including Don King, Bob Arum and significant boxers, I must say the most difficult negotiations I have encountered have been with Harrison."
MMIX
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